Cherry blossom season starts in Fukuoka; 1st in country

Friday 13th March, 02:11 PM JST

FUKUOKA —

A local meteorological observatory announced Friday that cherry trees in the city of Fukuoka started blossoming ahead of any other location in the country. The blossoming of the ‘‘someiyoshino’’ trees, a common variety in most parts of Japan, is 13 days earlier than an average year and 11 days earlier than last year.

It also represented the earliest start since the Fukuoka District Meteorological Observatory started such observations of blossoming, which people consider a bellwether of the arrival of spring.

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12 Comments

smithinjapan at 02:55 PM JST - 13th March

It's quite funny to watch all the local Shi-yaku-sho dealing with the fact that they reserved private areas about two weeks after many places are going to see peak cherry blossom season. I for one will be happy if it means less drunk old men urinating in public, but I'm sure they'll find a way.

I just feel sorry for the people who suffer serious pollen allergies; seems their getting slammed with one wave after another.
Wakarimasen at 03:18 PM JST - 13th March

I didn't think drunk old men needed sakura time to pee in public...... I, for one, am an all-season public urinator.
Okinawamike at 03:37 PM JST - 13th March

And this is because Okinawa is not part of Japan?
soldave at 03:43 PM JST - 13th March

Okinawamike - Was thinking the exact same thing. Okinawa doesn't really count when it comes to Japan though, and especially not with important things like cherry blossom.
whyamiinjapan at 03:58 PM JST - 13th March

Whoopee.
Kanadjin at 04:59 PM JST - 13th March

The sakura are bloomed and gone in Okinawa already, sad though that Okinawa is not counted as part of the country in this article.
Ah_so at 05:53 PM JST - 13th March

The sakura are bloomed and gone in Okinawa already, sad though that Okinawa is not counted as part of the country in this article.

Politically Okinawa is part of Japan. Geographically and in terms of its climate it clearly is not (it is tropical, not temperate) and so largely irrelevant with regards the cherry blossom frontier.

Unless you feel that this is is someway part of Ryukyu discrimination and Honshu-centric conspiracy.
ilcub76 at 06:57 PM JST - 13th March

I'd better get my beer and chu-hai ready!

The local GSDF base in Kurume, Fukuoka prefecture, opens every year for hanami. The only downside is that open fires (bbq) are not allowed. It's not your usual 'drunk old men in public' affair, but where friends and family come out to enjoy an evening under the cherry blossoms.
Thenewfront at 10:26 PM JST - 13th March

What a load of old cobblers. There is a world depression on and we have stories about trees blossoming.

Let's get back to reality, this is a story for kids not adults.
Wottock_Hunt at 10:33 PM JST - 13th March

In other news: Toss Not Given.
sharky1 at 05:25 AM JST - 14th March

Okinawa had a great cherry blossom season this year in the early part of February. Guess some posters got it right, Okinawa is still not considered a part of Japan.
Sarge at 05:36 PM JST - 14th March

Break out the Super Dry, er, Nodogoshi Nama!